Choice Bits!

MONEY'S PLATTE RIVER INN: Practically an Up North institution, the place to find out the latest fishing or snowmobile news from the locals and visitors who gather for their hearty breakfasts, steaks, burgers, soup & salad bar, & homemade desserts. 10921 Main St., Honor. 231­ 352­6585.

BC LANES FAMILY ENTERTAIMENT CENTER: When you've worked up an appetite from all the bowling and karaoke that Boyne City Lanes has to offer, you'll find a selection of hearty fare to choose from, including homemade soups & desserts. Cocktails are served at the Lanes,with live entertainment and glow ­bowling nights.1199 West Boyne Road, 231-­582­-6353.

CHINA ONE: Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner. Full Chinese menu, as well as Hunan & Szechuan entrees. Daily specials, special combination plates, a lunch & dinner All You Can Eat Buffet. 616 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, 231­-876­-8888.

A&W: Take a trip back to the '50s where chili dogs & frosted mugs of root beer are still served up by carhops at this All ­American institution. Elvis has been known to make an appearance during their annual summer “A&W Cruise Night” in August, as do cars from the 50’s and 60’s that we remember well. At the bottom of the hill, 21 Lake St., Frankfort, 231-­352-­9021.

THE NEW YORK RESTAURANT: A refined atmosphere, subdued lighting, and an appetizing selection of epicurean treats awaits the diner at this Harbor Springs corner landmark. Menu selections range from their smoked whitefish ravioli appetizer to their Atlantic salmon, baked polenta and eggplant, tomato basil fettuccine, or filet mignon ­ and their brunches include one of the best versions of Eggs Benedict around. 101 State Street, downtown across from Bar Harbor, 231­-526-­1904.

EMPIRE VILLAGE INN: Pool tables, a full bar, friendly service and a varied menu make the Village Inn popular with families and locals. Dinners include Lamb Skewers, Blue Corn Enchiladas, Charbroiled Whitefish, Lasagna and Ribeye. Also burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and pizza. Lunch and Dinner.Just north of the blinking light 116601 Lacorre Ave. on M­22, Empire. 231-326­-5101.

JESPERSON'S: One of Petoskey's first restaurants, Jesperson's is famous for homemade pies and fresh turkey. Breakfast and lunch. 312 Howard, Petoskey, 231­-347­-3601.

Union Cantina

Union Cantina offers South of the Border styleBy Al ParkerYou might say restaurant entrepreneur Matt Davies has come full circle.I started early on (in the restaurant business) at Taco Eds inFindley, Ohio, says Davies, an Ohio native whose family summered inNorthern Michigan when he was a boy. I was just a kid.Now the energetic Davies is running Union Cantina, his own Mexicaneatery that opened in Traverse City in October. Its a family runoperation along with Matts wife Patty, brother Mark and his wifeJennifer.Union Cantina sits in the former Taylor Printing building on UnionStreet between Front and State Streets. Davies originally planned toopen in the spring, but renovation efforts took longer thananticipated.We gutted it from floor to ceiling  all three floors, explainsDavies. In addition to the main floor, we have a private dining roomthat seats about 40 upstairs and we use the basement for storage.Davies did an impressive job of turning a 1960s style print shop intoa 21st century Mexican eatery that seats 90 in comfort.The flooring was all redone, using reclaimed materials wheneverpossible. He had the walls stripped of its drywall, exposing agedbrickwork that enhances the casual rustic atmosphere. Strands of driedred peppers hang from sturdy beams that flank the impressive bar and acozy rear corner.Those beams came out of local barns, says Davies, who personallyhauled them out of some tumbled-down barns in Antrim County. Then Ipulled out all the nails and power washed them. Weve had a lot ofcompliments about how they look.

CASUAL VIBEColorful artwork and large framed photos of Pablo Picasso, PanchoVilla and an assortment of bandito-types line the walls. It all addsto the casual vibe that has proven popular with visitors so far, saysDavies.Guests are greeted by an impressive stained glass door created byGuido Gold-Kuhle, while local metal artist Matt Coffeys work addsgreatly to the earthy ambience. But while visitors may enjoy the laidback scene, its really the food that has garnered the most comments.We had a fairly smooth opening and things have been going very well,says Davies. Our fish tacos have proven very popular and the stuffedpoblanos too.Union Cantina offers about a dozen appetizers, including those tastypoblano peppers stuffed with tomato couscous and topped with cheese.Theres an assortment of quesadillas and nachos, along with coconutshrimp, deep fried chicken strips and an intriguing sampler plate.Every day theres Lone Star Chili and Tortilla Soup.Salad lovers can choose from Taco, Fajita or Harvest Salads, allavailable with southwest ranch, honey Dijon, cherry or housevinaigrette, tequila lime or cilantro dressings.As expected, Union Cantina offers a variety of tacos, burritos,fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas, tamales, and tostadas. Prices rangefrom $4.95 to $16.95. Theres also seven different combo plates,ranging in price from $4.95 to $9.95.If youre in a steak mood, theres a grilled-to-order 16-ounce TexasT-bone served with chipotle cream mashed potatos and carmelizedpeppers and onions ($22.95). The menu also features Cherrywood SmokedRibs that are smoked in-house, smothered in a secret sauce and servedwith rice. A half-rack is $12.95, while a full slab is $18.95.Davies is quick to credit his 30-member staff with Union Cantinasearly success. Chef Matt Fries oversees the kitchen with assistancefrom Jeremy Stanley. They use no canned foods and prepare only naturalorganic beef and chicken.

THE BIG ONEOne of the most popular ala carte items on the menu is the EstupendoBurrito, an enormous feast for the heartiest of appetitites. It comesin shredded beef, chicken or pork rolled in a large flour tortillawith refried beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, rice, lettuce andtomato ($8.95). For another $1.50 you can make it wet with enchiladasauce and cheese.Weve been pleased with all our burritos, notes Davies. But theEstupendo Burrito is really something  its as big as a babyThe Davies family operates a string of Northern Michigan eateries,including the Peninsula Grill and Bad Dog Deli on Old MissionPeninsula that they bought in 1999. Four years later they opened theRiverwalk Grill in Elk Rapids. In 2005 they added the Western AvenueGrille in Glen Arbor and a year later, Graystone Farm Catering.